Hernandez agreed to the 6.5 million deal and should be a one year bridge for the Indians as they expect prospect Nolan Jones to settle in as the third baseman by 2021 with current starter Jose Ramirez shifting to second to accommodate Jones.
Hernandez batted .279 with 14 homers, 71 RBI and nine steals for the Philadelphia Phillies last season as their regular second baseman.
Hernandez hit 31 doubles, which along with the 71 RBI, were career highs, but it appears that the 29 years old ( Hernandez will turn 30 in May) has lost a step as his stolen base total tumbled from 19 to 9 and since he led the league in triples in 2016, those totals have dropped as well.
Hernandez is a switch-hitter (Kipnis is a lefthanded swinger) but hits righties best with 13 of his 14 home runs against righthanders.
Hernandez committed twelve errors last season in 157 games and had some notable early-season problems, but Hernandez isn't awful with the glove although he won't remind anyone of an elite defender.
Hernandez does have superior range to the slowing Kipnis and even though on the overall, Hernandez has a little less power than Kipnis, he'll at least equal his offensive numbers.
Cesar Hernandez wouldn't be my idea of a long-term stalwart at second but under these conditions where the Indians have a long term direction and require a one year bridge, Hernandez would fit the Indians needs of a decent second baseman without a long-term contract and semi-reasonable in cost.
In other words- about the best that you could hope for from a stopgap player.
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